Contents

1. Understanding the Taxi Business Landscape
2. Requirements to Become a Taxi Driver
3. Acquiring a Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) Licence
4. The Journey to Becoming a Taxi Driver
5. Choosing a Vehicle for Your Taxi Business
6. Taxi Driver Earnings
7. Why Choose iCabbi for Your Taxi Business?

Understanding the Taxi Business Landscape

In 2022, there was over 260 thousand licensed taxis and minicabs in England, an increase of 3.8% from 2021. The growth was driven by a substantial 5.1% increase in minicab numbers, despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Taxi drivers enjoy the freedom to choose their work hours, making it an ideal option for those looking for a “side hustle” or needing to balance multiple commitments.

Requirements to Become a Taxi Driver

To become a minicab driver, you must:

1. Be at least 21 years old
2. Hold a UK driving licence for three years (for London) or one year (outside London)
3. Have the legal right to live and work in the UK

Acquiring a Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) Licence

To drive a minicab, you will also need a PHV licence. The process includes:

1. Providing proof of identity (e.g., national ID card or passport)
2. Undergoing a Group 2 medical examination to confirm fitness, including an eyesight test and disclosing any medical conditions
3. Obtaining certification, such as an NVQ Certificate in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving (Taxi and Private Hire)
4. Passing a topographical or local area knowledge skills assessment
5. Clearing an enhanced criminal record Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

To work in London, you’ll also need to take the Safety, Equality, and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) test, similar to the black cab “knowledge” test.

The Journey to Becoming a Taxi Driver

Becoming a minicab driver can take around six months and cost up to £1,500. Once you submit your PHV licence application, local authorities may take between six to eighteen months to make a final decision. If there are complications, such as a previous criminal conviction or medical issues, the process can take even longer.

Choosing a Vehicle for Your Taxi Business

After obtaining your PHV licence, you can either use your own car or work for a minicab operator that provides a vehicle. Purchasing a minicab can cost between £35,000 and £75,000, especially if you opt for an electric vehicle, which would be more efficient in the long run. You may also need to install a Covid screen or CCTV system for safety purposes.

It’s recommended to work for an existing minicab firm initially to gain experience before committing to buying a vehicle of your own.

Taxi Driver Earnings

Outside of London, taxi drivers can take home around £500 a week after expenses, resulting in an average annual income of £27,000. In London, earnings can be significantly higher, up to £60,000 per year after expenses but before taxes.

Why Choose iCabbi for Your Taxi Business?

So now you’re on your way with your taxi career, how can you expand? iCabbi offers a world-leading taxi dispatch software that helps you manage your business effectively. With iCabbi, you can:

1. Automate a high percentage of bookings
2. Streamline your operations to cut costs
3. Deliver outstanding customer service
4. Compete with ride-sharing apps like Uber

In addition, iCabbi provides exceptional UK-based customer support to help you navigate any challenges that arise while running your taxi business.

Free Demonstration.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to become a taxi driver, now may be the perfect time. It’s not easy to meet all the specific requirements and navigate the lengthy application process. However, with the right tools, such as iCabbi’s taxi dispatch software, you can create a successful and flexible business that meets the needs of your community.

The post Launching Your Taxi Business with iCabbi’s Dispatch Software first appeared on iCabbi UK.

1) Price of journey on your passenger app

No matter who is booking the journey, one of the first aspects of a taxi journey a passenger will look at before booking is price. It is just human nature. So, even though it is a habitual thing, it is important that as a taxi company, you think of your customers and what would help make them choose to book with you. Think of it like this: why would a potential passenger pay double the price for what is essentially the same experience? They just want to get from A to B. Even though in the taxi industry we know there is more to a taxi journey than just driving there, passengers won’t always feel the same.

So, make sure your pricing structure is competitive enough to attract customers. Don’t undersell yourself as the luxury nature of your cars is also what they are paying for, but for some customers, they just want to know how much it will cost to get to their destination. Of course, your pricing structure can be adaptable, particularly around peak times. Surge pricing, in particular, is a key aspect of the iCabbi taxi dispatch software. You can view more on when you should be upping your prices and how to do it in the ETGL webinar. Just follow this link to view our surge pricing hints and tips video.

2) How quickly your driver can get to the passenger

We have already discussed the price of your journeys and how that can sway a potential customer. The pricing can be displayed on your passenger app, which comes as part of the iCabbi software. Another key converter for potential customers is time and efficiency. Many passengers want to be somewhere immediately and will take the quickest option. Obviously, there are times when people book in advance, but they will still want to know that they are taking the quickest route. So, when weighing up whether a passenger app is worth pursuing for your taxi company, it certainly is worth it if you can provide transparency to potential bookers,

The iCabbi passenger app allows you to provide an estimated arrival and journey time for passengers. This helps them to make an informed decision on whether your company is the right fleet to book with. For example, if a customer wants to go to a charity ball and have made a last-minute decision to get a taxi there rather than drive themselves, they will be assessing taxi times. If your company estimates that the journey will take 15 minutes and you can get a driver to the passenger in 5 minutes, they will take this into consideration. If your competing taxi fleets don’t have an app, or their times are slower, then they are likely to choose your drivers.

3) Reviews from other passengers

Similar to when buying something online from a retail shop, a customer is always likely to check the reviews before making a purchase. Not only are you able to showcase your online reviews through your passenger app, you can also collect them after the completion of the journey. This could be an important conversion technique as the passenger will likely book a journey with you based on previous customer experiences.

When a journey is completed, the iCabbi software allows you to collect your own reviews. The software automatically can request views on the driver, the journey and the general experience. Once the review has been left, you can then promote this on your app.

So, if you are looking to increase the number of passengers booking a journey with you, the passenger app is likely to help you to grow your business.

Contact us about a passenger app

Contact the friendly iCabbi UK team here by filling out this form or sending us an email at enquiries@icabbi.etgl.co.uk.

The post What does a passenger look for when choosing a taxi company? first appeared on iCabbi UK.

Passengers are important to your taxi’s success

Whether you are a one-man fleet looking to provide an excellent service or a growing taxi business, the aim is always the same. It should be to ensure that your passengers are happy and satisfied with the journeys they have and they will use you again. This would result in returning business, and subsequently, more money. If your aim is to eventually expand your taxi company to a fleet of drivers, the best way to do it is to make more money.

Sounds good, doesn’t it? That’s why we believe the best way to grow your business is to put the passenger first. Obviously, with big taxi fleets, the drivers are very important, but without happy passengers, you won’t have many drivers.

The iCabbi passenger app

The iCabbi passenger app would help you to create happy passengers and easy journeys. In fact, an automated taxi software and dispatch system would reduce your costs, as well as save you time. Additionally, you’d be able to brand the app up in your own company colours so that you are adding a personal touch to your potential passengers. The end result would be to have as little hardware as possible, with your business at your fingertips.

Why would I need my own branded passenger app?

No matter what size your fleet is, you will want to come across as approachable. No potential customer or passenger wants to have trawled the internet to find your phone number. They want to know they can get hold of you and book a journey ASAP. Your brand isn’t just about fancy colours, it is also about reputation and approachability. A brand is what people think about your company.

Reviews on Google, Social Media and your website all stack up and help to sway the customer. Fortunately for you, iCabbi offer a white-label taxi dispatch option for their apps. As a taxi company, you would be able to have your name, logo and colours on the app. Click here to learn more about the passenger app software.

Providing Transparency to the Passenger

Providing transparency to the passenger could be the key indicator in closing a potential passenger. The passenger app provides a map for your customer to see. They will be able to understand which driver has been assigned to them and whereabouts they are currently, all in real-time.

Not only will the passenger be able to see the location of the driver, but there will also be an estimate of how long it will be until they reach your location. Transparency is key when it comes to passengers and the app could help you to secure that journey. All these little factors can play a big part in more journeys for you, resulting in more money for your business and drivers!

Get a sense of how you are performing

You can get a sense of how your drivers are performing and what the passengers think of your journeys by allowing passengers to give them a rating. The app provides passengers with the possibility of rating your driver and their journey. Again, we go back to that key word when it comes to passengers in taxis: transparency.

These reviews could help tip the passenger in your favour when it comes to securing more journeys. If you get your pricing right, this could be exactly what you need. If you would like to know more about iCabbi, and why you should choose their automated taxi dispatch solution, this video would be a great watch.

Don’t just take our word for it

We’re not here just to promote the service though. At iCabbi UK (ETGL), the customers do the talking for us also. Just take a look at the review below and click on the graphic to view more of our testimonials.

If you’d love to know more about the passenger app, or any other automated taxi dispatch solutions, please do get in touch via the contact form. There is also the option to view the Free Demonstration in the flesh for FREE.

The post Putting your passengers at the forefront of your taxi business first appeared on iCabbi UK.

Below we discuss how you can decide which is the best taxi dispatch software for your taxi business. We go through the details explaining why pleasing your drivers is important, as well as why pleasing your passengers is important. It’s all in here as you become the best taxi company on your patch!

The best taxi dispatch software for your drivers

We will start with the drivers because we’ve already begun to discuss this. To keep your drivers happy there will be two simple things. Make your drivers money and let them know that they are being treated fairly. Essentially they just want to know that other drivers are not being prioritised for better jobs. This was a common ‘complaint’ of drivers who still operate with manual dispatch systems and office staff. One part of the software from iCabbi is the driver app which should help you to satisfy your drivers in this regard.

Fortunately, the iCabbi taxi dispatch software helps eliminate the common driver complaints. As a cloud-based taxi dispatch system, it can fairly distribute jobs to the right drivers who are appropriately placed. So if you are a taxi business owner who is looking to improve morale amongst your taxi fleet, check out this system and see how we can help you to keep your drivers happy.

Find a software that is easy to use

As part of the driver app, a taxi driver will also be able to accept a job easily. A seamless transition will also ensure that your drivers are not having to deal with any complicated technology.

One of the key factors in assessing the best taxi dispatch software for your business is the ease of use. A driver won’t always want to fiddle around with the technology they are given. They just want to log in and get going. With iCabbi’s software, you simply provide your drivers with their login details and they’ll be ready to go. It is just a get-up and drive. Another key selling point is that if you are a taxi fleet administrator, you can have access to the system at all times to ensure everything operates smoothly.

To find out more about our industry leading software, request a Free Demonstration to see why iCabbi is the go-to choice for taxi businesses across the UK. You can also call us on 01623 442211, or email us and we can help get you started.

So when assessing taxi software, consider what the aim is for your taxi business. If your drivers are at the forefront of your mind, this system could be perfect for you. You can still be in control but the automation factor eliminates any common complaints. The driver app will revolutionise your business. It is easy to use and also comes with a highly accurate navigation system.

Keep your passengers at the forefront of your mind

For any taxi business, if you don’t keep your customers happy, they won’t keep booking journeys with you. They are an essential part of the growth of your firm. So, if you want to grow your business, let’s put them up there with your drivers. That’s why iCabbi has developed a passenger app that can assist you in providing a fantastic journey.

Passengers essentially just want to get from A to B. However, they want to do it promptly. One of the best ways to get ahead of your competitors is to provide transparency to potential passengers. They are likely to assess two things when booking a taxi journey. These are:

“How long is it going to take for them to get here?”

“What is the cost?”

As part of the best taxi dispatch software, the passenger app is a vital cog. It will help you to convert passengers when they are weighing up their options. With the availability to provide transparency on fees, especially during peak periods, you can guarantee there will be no great surprise for passengers when it comes to paying the fee. This will be a big thing for passengers. An honest and transparent taxi business with an app that provides fees and estimated journey times ahead of the journey is likely to convert a passenger.

Providing this transparency to passengers is what will set your company apart from the rest. The passenger app provides this functionality.

Automate your business with the best taxi dispatch software

Because it is a cloud dispatch software, this advanced system allows you to automate your taxi business. Gone are the days of mountains of admin staff, manually updating prices and ringing each taxi driver to let them know the next journey. With iCabbi software, our excellent customer success teams ensure that you can use the software to better your company.

All in all, when assessing what is the best taxi dispatch software for your company, you need to think of the automation factor. This gives your drivers and passengers a big boost in their confidence in booking a journey with you.

Don’t just take our word for it though, below is a quote from one of our customers – Goldline Cabs. You can see what they said below but click on the image to see other testimonials about the team at iCabbi UK. 

Request a Free Demonstration to see why iCabbi is the go-to choice for taxi businesses across the UK.

Or call us on 01623 442211, or email us and we can help get you started.

The post How to choose the best taxi dispatch software first appeared on iCabbi UK.

iCabbi Taxi Dispatch System

If you’re still stuck in the olden days with an outdated taxi dispatch system, an advanced taxi dispatch system is the way to revolutionise your business. Providing your employees and drivers with an up-to-date, easy to use system will keep them happy and streamline the process. That is an ideal way to grow your business. So, whether it is booking jobs, dispatching taxis, or even just using the software to manage your customers and drivers, it’s the best way for business growth.

Alongside being one of the most advanced cloud-based taxi dispatch systems, another added benefit is you get the pick of your software. Whilst it makes sense to be able to choose from all state-of-the-art software, iCabbi customers are able to choose what they believe suits them. So the choice is just one of the options that businesses have. Whether it be the taxi driver app, the passenger app, or any other available piece of software, we can help you at iCabbi UK.

1) Private Hire Dispatch Software

If you are a private hire taxi firm then this software is ideal for you. Perfect for chauffeurs and other executive drivers, this system is chosen by many companies who are looking to improve their taxi business. In the eyes of many, a taxi dispatch software system that allows a passenger and driver full transparency is now a necessity.

Passengers want a smooth ride, but transparency is equally important. They want to know how much it is going to cost them and if a driver is available. By using this software, you’ll be able to offer your passengers a seamless experience.

2) Affordable Taxi Dispatch Software and Systems

Of course, as with everything, replacing systems does come with a cost. We know this and we believe in the long term, it is a worthwhile investment. However, this software is also affordable in terms of cost but also reliability. The software rarely breaks down and is easy to use. This means running and helping costs should not cause too much concern. iCabbi software can meet the needs of your taxi firm, no matter how small.

In terms of efficiency, the company can also make you more money. The reason it is affordable is also in the way it can help you to cut costs. Not just through its automation, though they do help, our software also allows your business to become more sufficient and significantly reduce costs. Human error is more and more unlikely to occur. Not only are you saving costs from a human staff perspective, automating your business with state-of-the-art software reduces the number of mistakes or missed opportunities.

3) Help Your Drivers Perform Better with Taxi Dispatch Software

Ultimately, it’s well known in the taxi industry that when your dispatch system works well, your drivers are able to perform better. An accurate GPS means that pickups are even more straightforward, and it provides a fair way of distributing jobs. This increases the chances of driver loyalty, as they don’t feel maligned and a thriving business needs happier, more efficient drivers, eager for their next pickup.

Whilst you’re here… Let’s talk about the Passenger App from iCabbi

The Passenger App at iCabbi has much been talked about. You can view demos on the iCabbi UK YouTube channel which go into more detail but for now, it is important that you understand just how this can benefit your business. Passengers have too much choice now when it comes to which taxi firms they use. It’s important you stand out from the crowd.

So, what makes your business stand out from a passenger’s point of view?

Well, passengers can be impatient, especially if they are in a hurry. So, you’ll probably want to ensure that your taxi business is able to provide live driver tracking. With iCabbi UK, you’ll be able to do this. The passenger app provides transparency to booking customers. Being able to see where the taxi is can provide comfort. A passenger will know that your driver is on their way.

They’ll also probably want to know how much the journey will cost. Again, the passenger app provides transparency for customers. They can see fixed fares but also the estimated pricing of the journey. This is a feature that is beneficial for your impatient passengers. If your pricing points are correct, it can help to give you a steal on your competitors.

Don’t Just Take Our Word For It

We’re not here to just promote though. A lot of taxi companies across the country have come through iCabbi UK to find their way to the top in their patch. We asked them to provide their own insights into the success of the taxi dispatch software and how great it has been for them.

Here’s one example but follow this link to see many more!

Contact us today by giving us a call on 01623 44 22 11. You can also pop us an email at enquiries@icabbi.etgl.co.uk. We’ll help you in any way we can!

The post 3 Elements of iCabbi’s Cloud Taxi Dispatch Software first appeared on iCabbi UK.

What is the Driver App?

Taxi businesses like to use the driver app because of the usability factor. Easy to use, the app also has a highly accurate navigation system. Whilst it sounds simple, this is a vital way of keeping your drivers happy. There’s also not that much faffing around in terms of set-up. Administrators can always control driver’s access to the system at all times so there is also the security factor.

What are the key features?

We’ve touched on why drivers might like the app, but now it’s time for us to go into more detail about the key features of the driver app.

One of the most common complaints from drivers is an inaccurate navigation system. There is nothing more annoying for a driver than if they realise that they could have taken a quicker route, avoided traffic or just provided a more comfortable route for the passenger. Fortunately, the iCabbi driver app has highly accurate navigation that comes with a big, bright screen. Ask any taxi driver what the ideal features of a driving app would be, and these will certainly be top of the list.

Easy to use taxi driver app

It’s also easy to use. – Wait, surely this is the case for all apps. You would think so. But if you’re running a taxi business, you’ll be aware that taxi drivers may often complain about their app not working or not being fit for purpose. No driver wants to miss out on a potential journey, and subsequently money, because they couldn’t work the app. With iCabbi, the app is famed for ease and simplicity of use. It is just ideal!

There are other features

For some iCabbi customers, it’s not just about the driver app. There’s also a driver smartphone package included with even more benefits. Check out the details below!

iCabbi Driver Smartphone Package

The term dedication is used plenty at iCabbi. We’re dedicated to helping our customers. The taxi firms and businesses we work with are also dedicated to their drivers. That is why some of them opt for the smartphone benefits package. With this package, drivers are always available for voice and data communication.

Plus, due to the nature of it being fully locked down, important items such as GPS cannot be deleted. With it being slick in the visual display as well, the app is a large display that covers all of the screen, but is also easy to read. Additionally (yes, there’s more), drivers always need a working device, and that’s why the smartphone is fully insured. It comes with all the essential accessories, including the cradle, goose-neck and power lead. With iCabbi, there’s always just that little bit more.

Customer touchpoints

As you’ve probably seen on our social media accounts recently, we’ve been talking about the benefits of driving with iCabbi. Not only will the software benefit your drivers but also it adds an extra layer to the touchpoints that you can add to your customers and passengers. Being able to view everything digitally can improve the relationship between your dispatch team and the driver.

Download the Driver App

After taking in all that info, you’re likely to want to download the iCabbi Driver App. You can do that here.

If you’re giving it serious consideration, you can request a free demonstration now to discover why iCabbi is the go-to choice for taxi businesses across the UK.

To get in contact, call us on 01623 44 22 11, or pop us an email at enquiries@icabbi.etgl.co.uk.

The post Why The iCabbi Driver App Is Essential To Growing Your Business first appeared on iCabbi UK.

You want to impress your passengers – Here’s how

There is no more important customer than a returning customer. That is apparent in any business, and in particular when you are looking to grow. As a taxi firm, you will mainly have local competitors so it will be important that you stand out. Obviously, pricing will be a major factor when it comes to being the taxi company of choice. However, you will also want to provide a great experience to your customers and consumers. A person with no car will have little alternative but to book a taxi in some circumstances. You will want your brand to be at the top of the list.

With iCabbi, there are many options on offer that will help your business but one of them is ensuring you can deliver an app experience to your passenger that is top of the range. You want to ensure it is customised to your business and is not generic. Most importantly though, you will want the app to run smoothly and ensure you and your customers enjoy the experience.

Essentially, it is about knowing what your customers will want. That is user-friendly and perhaps most importantly a fast booking experience. Nobody wants to spend time hanging around looking for a taxi. It was the same when a passenger was ringing up dispatchers and it is the same now when using the app. Obviously, it depends on the target market and target journey of your fleet but for most taxi companies, the passenger will just want to get from A to B.

Being pleasing on the eye can help your taxi business retain passengers

There is no harm in making your app look nice and aesthetically pleasing though! The passenger apps supplied by iCabbi will suit any type of fleet that you want. By the time you come to utilise taxi software, you’ve probably got an idea of what sort of service you would want to provide. You’ll have been through the elements of coming up with a name and a logo and all the rest of that. All you would need to do is supply iCabbi with your branding and essential aspects of your business.

What is the passenger thinking about?

That’s just the aesthetics though, the real passenger pleasers are mainly about the drivers actually. When booking a taxi, a passenger will often want to know when their taxi is arriving and where their taxi is. They’ll be thinking if there is time for another drink or if they need to start putting their shoes on. Fortunately, with the taxi software on offer at iCabbi, the passengers are able to identify who their driver is and when they will be present. Being transparent and available offers a real personal touch to passengers. This is exactly what will help provide them with a great experience.

Remember it is all about the customer. They’ll want to know where their driver is and how much the journey is going to cost. iCabbi software allows potential customers to see an estimated price of the journey. That way, it limits the amount of booking and cancelling that sometimes comes around. You know the feeling when a customer leans their head through the window and asks how much it is going to cost before backing away. That’s not ideal in any environment, let alone in a post COVID world. This eliminates the taxi booking equivalent of a ‘high bounce rate’ and ensures there is clarity before the passenger books their trip.

Feedback is always appreciated

In some way, Uber revolutionised the taxi service industry. Providing feedback and ‘ratings’ on drivers is something that the iCabbi taxi dispatch software is able to offer. It helps provide a bit of comfort to the passenger that many customers have booked with the driver before and found it a positive journey where the driver is able to drive safely.

Communication between a taxi company and potential customers is a great way to get your name out there. It can improve your reputation. To make sure you will be able to reach your target goals when launching your taxi service, having a state-of-the-art passenger app will be a vital cog in your well-oiled machine. Providing security, comfort and a pleasant experience is a big bonus for taxi firms.

Taxi Dispatch Software can also benefit your taxi business

The passenger app is just one part of a taxi dispatch system that provides many key benefits to a company. The app not only pleases customers but also helps with a company’s own branding and visibility, as well as overall service. There are many aspects to it which would also make a driver happy. If you have a happy driver then you will have a happy passenger!

There is improved automation of your business if you use the dispatch software, and it improves consumer relationships through its functionality. The app is also displayed in various app stores and has the visibility of a company name and logo. Remember that famous old saying, there is no such thing as free marketing, this is as close as it gets.

If you are wanting to move your business forwards, give iCabbi UK a call. See what all the fuss is (rightly) about. You can catch the team on 01623 44 22 11 or email enquiries@icabbi.etgl.co.uk.

The post How To Make Your Taxi Business Stand Out From the Rest first appeared on iCabbi UK.